ART delivery in Yekaterinburg

Obviously, due to with the pandemic, the health facilities, NGOs working in the field of HIV / AIDS, the key populations to whom our services are directed, faced not just new challenges, but literally a new reality. Thanks to well-functioning actions, quick and clear managerial decisions and flexibility of the civil sector, absolutely innovative mechanisms for providing HIV services have been developed, implemented and is currently successfully operating. We still have a lot to go through, a difficult but interesting path ahead, and it’s important to record and analyze everything that’s being done now in order to learn lessons and maximize the provision of care in the context of HIV services.
Vera Yevseyeva Director, ‘New Life’ Fund, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Task

Like all citizens, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with HIV are recommended a self-isolation regime. More than 50,000 PLHIV and more than 30,000 PLHIV who receive ART are constantly living in Yekaterinburg. The main tasks faced by medical and public organizations in relation to the provision of HIV services: how to reduce risks for program participants, how to rebuild existing services, how to receive ARVT in a timely manner, and what else needs to be supported in the new realities.

Solution 

Since March 30, 2020, the AIDS Center has announced new rules for admitting patients and receiving ART. In Russia, with the participation of NGOs and volunteers, ART delivery to patients was organized. On average, 200 people receive medications on daily basis. Organized “hot” telephone lines. NGOs, when switching to remote work, intensified online counseling of participants. There was a need to organize work to accompany complex cases (tuberculosis, trauma, palliative care, etc.), support for food packages, and NGO staff actively joined the initiative of the medical community in connection with the delivery of ART, while observing all the necessary precautions.

Result

On a daily basis, NGO staff provides psychological support to people living with HIV. It was possible to organize case management, online counseling during the self-test, return to care and treatment who interrupted treatment, registration of disability in absentia – all this activities NGO employees have been doing remotely for a month. Every day in Yekaterinburg, 14 mobile teams consisting of drivers, medical staff of the AIDS center, NGO staff and volunteers deliver ARVs to patients who confirm that they are ready to receive the drugs at an agreed address. The mechanism for receiving therapy by NGO employees by proxy from patients is clearly tuned. In April, 3,300 people received drugs while staying at home, significantly reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection.